Replacing an Emergency U.S. Passport

📍 What Is an Emergency Passport?

An emergency passport issued abroad is provided to allow you to:

• Return to the United States

• Travel immediately due to urgent circumstances

When the emergency passport is issued, you will also receive an official letter.

Important:
Keep this letter. It is required for the replacement process.

🧾 Replacing Your Emergency Passport in the U.S.

Once you return to the United States, you must replace the emergency passport with a full-validity (10-year) passport.

You can only replace an Emergency passport if:

• You still have the original letter, and

• The emergency passport has not expired

If you meet these requirements then:

• The government fee is $0.00

• You only pay the Swift service fee for your selected processing time

📄 Required Documents (If Letter Is Available)

Send the following to Swift:

• Emergency passport

• Passport photo

• Signed Form DS-5504

• Swift Letter of Authorization

Processing time begins once the application is submitted to the Passport Agency.

⚠️ If You Do Not Have the Letter

If the letter has been lost, or the emergency passport was issued more than one year ago:

• You must apply using the new or first-time passport procedure (DS-11).

This includes:

• Visiting a Passport Acceptance Agent

• Submitting proof of citizenship

• Paying standard government fees

💡 Important Notes

• Emergency passports are temporary and limited in validity

• Replacement must be completed after returning to the U.S.

• Government approval is required for the full-validity passport

• Swift cannot waive government rules